CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
Pubs & Clubs
Events
Beers & Breweries
CAMRA - Campaign for Real Ale logo
Join Us

Olde Fighting Cocks, St. Albans

You have visited this venue
View all visits
Directions
You want to visit - You have this in
Cask Ale
Opens in 38 minutes
Operator: Mitchells & Butlers
16 Abbey Mill Lane, St. Albans, AL3 4HE (View on Google Map)
(01727) 869152
Email
Website
X (Twitter)
Facebook

The pub stakes a claim to be the oldest pub in England, dating from the late 8th century though the current building was finished in 1485 and renamed from the Round House circa 1800. It still retains many original features such as low ceilings, various nooks and crannies and a bread oven next to one of the fireplaces. There is a large refurbished garden to the rear with a new marquee and enclosed garden area for children. There is also some seating to the front of the pub by the river. Parking nearby is limited but there are car parks a pleasant walk away through Verulamium Park and along the River Ver.

Historic Interest

Reputed to be the oldest public house in England

Information for this venue is provided by the South Hertfordshire Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Last updated
Last surveyed
03/03/2026
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Mitchells & Butlers
Pub ID
SHE/728
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Noon - Midnight
Tuesday
Noon - Midnight
Wednesday
Noon - Midnight
Thursday
Noon - Midnight
Friday
Noon - 1:00am
Saturday
Noon - 1:00am
Sunday
Noon - 11:00pm
Monday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 3:00pm & 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 4:00pm
TasteMatch

Unlock TasteMatch and all of CAMRA’s online tools from just 99p/month with our Explorer Pass, or join as a member to get the best of pubs, beer and breweries plus discounts at the bar.

Current beers

This Pub serves 8 changing beers (On visiting, 8 out of 12 handpumps were in use, featuring rotating beers from 3 Brewers, Mighty Oak, Adnams and Purity, with the same beers on the main and side bar.) and 0 regular beers.

Source: National

Your scores

Join CAMRA to access beer scoring and view scores for other pubs. Become a member.
Retrieving scores
You have no beer scores submitted.
Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Booking Advisable
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Support Earthworks Organic Farm, locla produce, Booking Advisable
Live Music Live Music
Occasionally
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Events Events
Function Room Function Room
Lined Glasses Lined Glasses
Real Fire Real Fire
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
LocAle LocAle
Transport
Close to bus routes (800m)
300, 321, 361, 362, 724, 725, S4, S5, S8, S9
Stops in Holywell Hill
Nearby Station (800m)
St Albans Abbey
Ordnance Survey Reference
TL142068
Directions
At the cathedral, through the arch and to the bottom of the lane

Help keep our information accurate!

Notice an error or missing details? Help us keep our pub & club information accurate by sharing any corrections or updates you spot.

Suggest an edit

Explore the local area

Curated guides are specially put together for your enjoyment! These trips are crafted by specialists along with dedicated volunteers with local knowledge.

The Charter Market Quarter

The Charter Market Quarter

15 minutes 6 curated stops

Visit six local venues and journey through the Charter Market Quarter's historical sites, including one of the only free-standing medieval civic clock towers, and the site of the First Battle of St. Albans in 1455. Historically, there were 23 pubs in the Market area alone!

St Peter’s Quarter

St Peter’s Quarter

30 minutes 6 curated stops

The northern end of the Market is dominated by St. Peter’s church, one of the three churches originally built by the Saxon’s on the main pilgrim routes into St. Albans. Soak up the history and architecture of the area, as well as music history! 

Medieval St. Albans East

Medieval St. Albans East

15 minutes 6 curated stops

This area is packed with history and interesting pubs, some open, and some no longer with us. With this Guide, you'll visit six hand-picked venues in one of the oldest parts of the city.

Nearby

Lower Red Lion at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 12-06-2024
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Lower Red Lion
Pub, in St. Albans
2 Regular, 3 Changing Beers
Kings Arms at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-11-2018
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Kings Arms
Pub, in St. Albans
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
Mad Squirrel Tap, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 24-06-2019
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Mad Squirrel Tap
Mad Squirrel Pub, in St. Albans
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
White Hart Hotel. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Open
White Hart Hotel
Fabio Curcio Pub, in St. Albans
1 Changing Beer
  • CAMRA discount scheme
  • Historic Interior
The Verulam, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 06-01-2023
Open
Verulam
Morgan Pub Collective Pub, in St. Albans
3 Regular, 5 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
Bishop's Cave, St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 07-11-2017
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Bishop's Cave
Pub, in St. Albans

Cask Ale not available

Farriers Arms at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 18-11-2018
Closed • Opens at 4:00pm
Farriers Arms
Pub, in St. Albans
3 Regular Beers
  • Historic Interior
The Snug (Fleur de Lys), St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-07-2015
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Snug
Stonegate (formerly Ei Group) Pub, in St. Albans

Cask Ale not available

Boot Inn at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 01-01-1970
Open
Boot
Star (Heineken UK) Pub, in St. Albans
3 Regular, 3 Changing Beers
  • CAMRA discount scheme
Peahen at St Albans. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 02-04-2023
Open
Peahen
McMullen Pub, in St. Albans
2 Regular, 1 Changing Beers

Recently Viewed

George
Pub, in Martock
Permanently Closed
(External). Published on 08-09-2014
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
White Hart Hotel
Pub, in Martock
1 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
David Sherliker 21.04.2021. (Pub, External, Sign, Key). Published on 22-04-2021
Closed • Opens at 2:45pm
Stag
Independent Pub, in Leyland
6 Changing Beers
Chimichangos Mexican Restaurant
Pub, in Middlewich
Permanently Closed
Sep 2025. (External, Key). Published on 16-10-2025
Open
Toby Carvery
Toby Carvery (Mitchells & Butlers) Pub, in Trowbridge

Cask Ale not available

Published on 19-08-2016
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Boars Head
Pub, in Middlewich
2 Regular Beers
(Key). Published on 25-04-2020
Closed • Opens in 38 minutes
Golden Ball
Vintage Inns2 (Mitchells & Butlers) Pub, in Whiston
4 Regular, 1 Changing Beers
Pub Walk Shoes Icon

Love Cask Beer?

Join CAMRA to support the campaign to access more features plus access to a range of different benefits.

Become a member
© Campaign for Real Ale 2023 - 2026 (ce-9)
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube
Home

Privacy Overview

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.

Necessary

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. More information

Non-Necessary (Analytics)

These cookies help us to improve your web experience. They allow us to gather feedback on your behaviour and to show adverts relevant to you. You can turn this off here.

Cookies

We use cookies, which are small text files, to improve your experience on our website and to show you personalised content. You can allow all or manage them individually.